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Tengoku
Aozora Kaede is on the run. Forced to flee from home after a violent disagreement with her aunt and cousin, she is a wanderer with a spirit wolf as her only companion. Homura Imari lives in the lap of luxury. As the daughter of a daimyo, her duties are stay home and learn how to rule the province she will inherit. But when fate brings the two of them together, Imari notices Kaede’s connection to the spirits and decides to ask for a favor. She needs someone to guide her to Hongshan, a faraway mountain where a magical blacksmith is rumored to live—a blacksmith who can hopefully replace her missing left hand. Together, they must travel across the treacherous Jade Sea, protect themselves from Kaede’s vengeful family, and perhaps even save the Empire from destruction.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2016
29 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Rae D. Magdon
28 books281 followersRae D. Magdon is an author of queer lesbian fiction. Her stories celebrate lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans women falling in love, and she cares deeply about including characters of color in her work. In addition to publishing novels about all kinds of women and their adventures, she has an extensive fanfiction collection available for free online.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 4, 2019
When it comes to luring me to read a book, I really do have simple standards. A gorgeous cover will usually do the trick other than blood, serial killer, demonic possession, demons, poltergeist, waitresses/nurses - pretty long list so moving on. Tengoku not only has an eye-catching cover but an enticing blurb, too good to resist.
This is also another one of those cases where watching the shows - Ultraman, The Last Samurai, 47 Ronin these past few days motivate me to read the book even though suffering from the book flu.
(atm, strictly romance is making me nausea 🤢🤮) I also love that this book features talking supernatural creatures - wolves, fox, and dragon/s and even more intrigued by the deep family and town history that played a huge role in the story. Overall, I enjoy this book immensely, and find the two main characters to be endearing, down-to-earth leads just trying to find their way to be even better humans and find in each other a kindred spirit. The pace of the book is pretty slow but steady and I appreciate the historical /traditional elements weaved into the story.
There’s no instant noodle, Kaede and Imari are friends for some time before romance comes in. Romance is not the main focal point, the author focuses on each character’s own self-discovery as they navigate through their obstacles, provides rooms for side characters to shine and creates an action-adventurous Daimyo/Shogun/Ronin/ Yokai world for fans such as myself to fall for.
2nd book by Ms.Magdon, Lucky 7 was pretty intense - the characters were in the ' I wanna kill and fcuk you at the same time ' mode throughout the story but Tengoku was really laid back and again represented by almost everyone from the LGBT community - transwoman, bisexual, non binary (a dragon) and gay so huge points there.
So why didn't I color all the stars?
- No sense of real danger, every conflict/hurdle was solved pretty easily. Why can't Maths/Curry recipe be the same?
- The villain. Kudos to Ms.Magdon for her creativity /cleverness but at the same time, I had the same reaction as Mulan when Mushu revealed himself after the grand introduction announcement.
I can't give it less than 4 though because I love everything relating to Japan - the history, culture, Bushido, traditional costumes, Katana+Wakizashi fights, Ultraman and Godzilla.
This is also another one of those cases where watching the shows - Ultraman, The Last Samurai, 47 Ronin these past few days motivate me to read the book even though suffering from the book flu.
(atm, strictly romance is making me nausea 🤢🤮) I also love that this book features talking supernatural creatures - wolves, fox, and dragon/s and even more intrigued by the deep family and town history that played a huge role in the story. Overall, I enjoy this book immensely, and find the two main characters to be endearing, down-to-earth leads just trying to find their way to be even better humans and find in each other a kindred spirit. The pace of the book is pretty slow but steady and I appreciate the historical /traditional elements weaved into the story.
There’s no instant noodle, Kaede and Imari are friends for some time before romance comes in. Romance is not the main focal point, the author focuses on each character’s own self-discovery as they navigate through their obstacles, provides rooms for side characters to shine and creates an action-adventurous Daimyo/Shogun/Ronin/ Yokai world for fans such as myself to fall for.
2nd book by Ms.Magdon, Lucky 7 was pretty intense - the characters were in the ' I wanna kill and fcuk you at the same time ' mode throughout the story but Tengoku was really laid back and again represented by almost everyone from the LGBT community - transwoman, bisexual, non binary (a dragon) and gay so huge points there.
So why didn't I color all the stars?
- No sense of real danger, every conflict/hurdle was solved pretty easily. Why can't Maths/Curry recipe be the same?
- The villain. Kudos to Ms.Magdon for her creativity /cleverness but at the same time, I had the same reaction as Mulan when Mushu revealed himself after the grand introduction announcement.
I can't give it less than 4 though because I love everything relating to Japan - the history, culture, Bushido, traditional costumes, Katana+Wakizashi fights, Ultraman and Godzilla.
February 20, 2017
4.25 stars
Tengoku is another solid tale from Rae D. Magdon that does not disappoint. This is a fantasy, adventure story based in Japanese culture told through an engaging cast of humans and spirit animals (i.e. animals that talk and/or can shape-shift). Magdon does a great job in characterization, world building, and delivering a naturally flowing narrative.
The story centers around Kaede and Imari. Kaede is on the run from her family, rejecting her role in causing more deaths after her Aunt's power grab to control the spirit animals, and Imari is on a quest to make herself whole. When the two meet, a natural chemistry sparks and they find just what they need in each other. For Imari's journey, she needs a champion that also has a natural proclivity with the spirit animals while Kaede needs to continually be on the move to avoid being captured by her family. There are many twists and turns along the journey that keep the story fresh and unexpected and I really enjoyed the read, overall.
There are a few things that make this story stand out from not only Magdon's other books but from all books found in lesfic or f/f stories.
Kaede is male-to-female transgendered and Imari is bisexual. Both are written extremely well and, despite their sexualities informing the characters, their personalities come first and their sexuality is secondary. In the words of Cosima from 'Orphan Black', "My sexuality isn't the most interesting thing about me", and neither is it for our two leads.
I've read plenty of transgendered female-to-male or a "passing as a man" stories but haven't yet encountered a male-to-female f/f storyline.
The fantasy tale is heavily based on Japanese culture and/or folklore and the entire cast is nearly all Japanese. In other words, the main cast is non-white.
Imari has a physical disability. This plays a large role in the story but also doesn't belittle her character.
Kaede and Imari are joined on their journey by close male friends and, in a way, are given equal footing. I don't often see male characters given this much attention and presence in f/f fiction and it was done well.
What does remain the same as Magdon's other books, in addition to her quality writing and original storylines, are her explicit sex scenes. This is somewhat of a slow-burn romance, where Imari and Kaede take plenty of time getting to know each other so we don't find insta-love here. When the love scenes do finally occur they are explicit and always serve the story.
It is not stated if this will be a series but there are hints that it may be. If it is, I'm happy to read more.
I'm continually impressed with Magdon's ability to switch genres, her inclusion of diversity and her ability to depict strong female characters. It is clear she took great care into getting both the Japanese and transgendered elements right and I give kudos to her for her empathy and courage in branching out beyond herself.
Recommend.
Tengoku is another solid tale from Rae D. Magdon that does not disappoint. This is a fantasy, adventure story based in Japanese culture told through an engaging cast of humans and spirit animals (i.e. animals that talk and/or can shape-shift). Magdon does a great job in characterization, world building, and delivering a naturally flowing narrative.
The story centers around Kaede and Imari. Kaede is on the run from her family, rejecting her role in causing more deaths after her Aunt's power grab to control the spirit animals, and Imari is on a quest to make herself whole. When the two meet, a natural chemistry sparks and they find just what they need in each other. For Imari's journey, she needs a champion that also has a natural proclivity with the spirit animals while Kaede needs to continually be on the move to avoid being captured by her family. There are many twists and turns along the journey that keep the story fresh and unexpected and I really enjoyed the read, overall.
There are a few things that make this story stand out from not only Magdon's other books but from all books found in lesfic or f/f stories.
Kaede is male-to-female transgendered and Imari is bisexual. Both are written extremely well and, despite their sexualities informing the characters, their personalities come first and their sexuality is secondary. In the words of Cosima from 'Orphan Black', "My sexuality isn't the most interesting thing about me", and neither is it for our two leads.
I've read plenty of transgendered female-to-male or a "passing as a man" stories but haven't yet encountered a male-to-female f/f storyline.
The fantasy tale is heavily based on Japanese culture and/or folklore and the entire cast is nearly all Japanese. In other words, the main cast is non-white.
Imari has a physical disability. This plays a large role in the story but also doesn't belittle her character.
Kaede and Imari are joined on their journey by close male friends and, in a way, are given equal footing. I don't often see male characters given this much attention and presence in f/f fiction and it was done well.
What does remain the same as Magdon's other books, in addition to her quality writing and original storylines, are her explicit sex scenes. This is somewhat of a slow-burn romance, where Imari and Kaede take plenty of time getting to know each other so we don't find insta-love here. When the love scenes do finally occur they are explicit and always serve the story.
It is not stated if this will be a series but there are hints that it may be. If it is, I'm happy to read more.
I'm continually impressed with Magdon's ability to switch genres, her inclusion of diversity and her ability to depict strong female characters. It is clear she took great care into getting both the Japanese and transgendered elements right and I give kudos to her for her empathy and courage in branching out beyond herself.
Recommend.
September 27, 2017
4.5 stars. I truly enjoyed this unique fantasy novel. I've always been fascinated by Asian cultures and this book is set in a fictional Japanese kingdom. It has spirit animals who can talk and there's even a dragon! It's just a really cool story and has a heartwarming romance to add to its appeal. I loved it.
August 12, 2025
After reading Dark Horizons by Rae D. Magdon, I was a bit disappointed with the execution of both the worldbuilding and the romance, so I wasn’t sure if Tengoku would be any better in those aspects. But color me surprised—it absolutely was!
I picked this one up because I’ve always been drawn to Asian culture and lore, and the plot gave me major Yuri-anime vibes, so I was really excited to dive in. This book felt wonderfully well-rounded, starting with the characters. I loved watching Kaede’s growth—especially her journey of self-acceptance as a trans woman. It’s clear the author did her research and handled the topic with care and authenticity. On the other side, Imari’s path toward loving herself for who she truly is, rather than for how her people view her, was beautifully done. Her journey toward forgiveness also felt genuine and unhurried.
As for the romance between Kaede and Imari—it was a delicious slow burn, just how I like it. When they finally moved from friends to lovers, it felt so natural. By the end, they complemented each other in such a unique way, like two pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together.
The worldbuilding was also incredibly satisfying. I loved how the author took her time to flesh out the details, from the different types of yokai—Rin, the wolf spirit and Kaede’s loyal companion; the mystical Kyuubi (fox yokai); the fierce Suanni (dragon yokai); and more—to the vivid descriptions of the places our heroes traveled. It truly felt like immersing myself in another world.
Some of the secondary characters were standouts as well. I enjoyed the dynamic between Takeshi and Kenta—their contrasting personalities made their interactions with Kaede and Imari all the more entertaining. And Rin… oh, Rin! Loyal, wise, and endlessly lovable—I’d loved to have a Rin of my own in real life. Another pleasant surprise was the villain twist: the “supposed” antagonist turned out to be someone entirely different, and I loved how cleverly that was executed.
The only minor downside for me was the pacing—it dragged a bit in the middle before picking up again toward the end. But overall, this was a truly unique read, one I’d recommend to both fantasy lovers and historical fiction fans alike.
I picked this one up because I’ve always been drawn to Asian culture and lore, and the plot gave me major Yuri-anime vibes, so I was really excited to dive in. This book felt wonderfully well-rounded, starting with the characters. I loved watching Kaede’s growth—especially her journey of self-acceptance as a trans woman. It’s clear the author did her research and handled the topic with care and authenticity. On the other side, Imari’s path toward loving herself for who she truly is, rather than for how her people view her, was beautifully done. Her journey toward forgiveness also felt genuine and unhurried.
As for the romance between Kaede and Imari—it was a delicious slow burn, just how I like it. When they finally moved from friends to lovers, it felt so natural. By the end, they complemented each other in such a unique way, like two pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together.
The worldbuilding was also incredibly satisfying. I loved how the author took her time to flesh out the details, from the different types of yokai—Rin, the wolf spirit and Kaede’s loyal companion; the mystical Kyuubi (fox yokai); the fierce Suanni (dragon yokai); and more—to the vivid descriptions of the places our heroes traveled. It truly felt like immersing myself in another world.
Some of the secondary characters were standouts as well. I enjoyed the dynamic between Takeshi and Kenta—their contrasting personalities made their interactions with Kaede and Imari all the more entertaining. And Rin… oh, Rin! Loyal, wise, and endlessly lovable—I’d loved to have a Rin of my own in real life. Another pleasant surprise was the villain twist: the “supposed” antagonist turned out to be someone entirely different, and I loved how cleverly that was executed.
The only minor downside for me was the pacing—it dragged a bit in the middle before picking up again toward the end. But overall, this was a truly unique read, one I’d recommend to both fantasy lovers and historical fiction fans alike.
July 7, 2022
Deft worldbuilding and diverse characters in this fantasy/romance based on medieval Japan. Commentary on body disphoria, disability and gender discrimination are also delicately woven into this well written and highly entertaining story.
For those interested: #SapphicsWithSwords #Kitsune #Dragons 😉
For those interested: #SapphicsWithSwords #Kitsune #Dragons 😉
December 16, 2017
4.5 stars. Not quiet enough for the 5. More when I have a chance to think about it.
February 3, 2017
This is the first transgender story I have ever read and I think Rae D. Magdon has spoiled me for all other transgender stories, except for her fanfiction story "Taking the Shot." I don't think that I will ever read another transgender story and not find it wanting in comparison to those and the latter isn't even completed yet. However, it is not because of that one aspect that I decided to read this book; I was curious to see how she was going to take her niche of writing and turn it into an original work. And by the Sixth Hell, I was not disappointed! I have read some of her original fiction works and found them mediocre, but this is on a whole other plane... It was f*****g awesome!
The story was solid, well written and original, nothing at all like some of her earlier stories that reminded me of her fanfiction. I am not saying her fanfiction isn't good, but I just have to put it out there some fanfiction should just stay fanfiction (Fifty Shades of Grey, I am looking at you). The characters were lovable and realistic, and it was easy to for me to relate to them, which was only icing on the cake as I found out as I kept reading. The characters and their personalities added a depth to the book that I was not expecting and was a special surprise, especially in the more... intimate scenes of the story, and, by themselves, became more endearing to me. I got this book knowing that this story was going to have a happy ending, but during the last third of the book, the suspense was so intense that I had to take a moment to remind myself, "This story has a happy ending. They will all make it through somehow." And they did in a realistic way that did not have too much sugar and rainbows, which is another added bonus in my book.
The story and the characters are what earned this story its first three stars. What earned the last two was just the writing. I absolutely LOVE the writing. As a writer myself (without a single work to my name, so don't go looking), I absolutely envy how she was able to wield words in a way that was much like Japanese poetics and was able to use some of the language without sounding like an otaku. She was also able to create essential terms in such a way that is almost similar to an aspect of Japanese language where the combination of two Japanese characters create another with an entirely different meaning, and that just blows my mind.
This is by far my most favorite story of hers by far and that includes her fanfiction. I want this book published with paper and ink, so I can buy it and put in on my shelf with my other favorites. Will a publisher please make it happen?
The story was solid, well written and original, nothing at all like some of her earlier stories that reminded me of her fanfiction. I am not saying her fanfiction isn't good, but I just have to put it out there some fanfiction should just stay fanfiction (Fifty Shades of Grey, I am looking at you). The characters were lovable and realistic, and it was easy to for me to relate to them, which was only icing on the cake as I found out as I kept reading. The characters and their personalities added a depth to the book that I was not expecting and was a special surprise, especially in the more... intimate scenes of the story, and, by themselves, became more endearing to me. I got this book knowing that this story was going to have a happy ending, but during the last third of the book, the suspense was so intense that I had to take a moment to remind myself, "This story has a happy ending. They will all make it through somehow." And they did in a realistic way that did not have too much sugar and rainbows, which is another added bonus in my book.
The story and the characters are what earned this story its first three stars. What earned the last two was just the writing. I absolutely LOVE the writing. As a writer myself (without a single work to my name, so don't go looking), I absolutely envy how she was able to wield words in a way that was much like Japanese poetics and was able to use some of the language without sounding like an otaku. She was also able to create essential terms in such a way that is almost similar to an aspect of Japanese language where the combination of two Japanese characters create another with an entirely different meaning, and that just blows my mind.
This is by far my most favorite story of hers by far and that includes her fanfiction. I want this book published with paper and ink, so I can buy it and put in on my shelf with my other favorites. Will a publisher please make it happen?
February 5, 2017
I have read all of Rae’s published works and I will say that this, by far, is her best. From her characters to the setting, I was absolutely enthralled with every word. I’m not sure if I can explain it properly without giving too much away, but I’ll start with the characters.
I find the growth of the main characters happens at a good pace overall. They were well rounded, not flat at all, and very dynamic. What got me though, was the minor characters. I sometimes read stories that have a multitude of minor or background characters that I usually forget about immediately after their scene is done. I didn’t feel as if any of the ones Rae introduces are like that. I remembered them all and was excited to hear about it.
For the setting, I initially thought that it was just a basic Asian inspired world. I couldn’t have been more wrong. While we learn a bit from travel, the part that I loved was the incorporation of legends and fables among the characters. Tales were shared, or at least mentioned during casual conversations. In my opinion, myths can really bring worlds alive, because it shows what morals and actions are held important in the eyes of the society.
I highly recommend the story for everyone. I felt all the characters were relatable on some level. A lot of love went into this novel, and it shows.
I find the growth of the main characters happens at a good pace overall. They were well rounded, not flat at all, and very dynamic. What got me though, was the minor characters. I sometimes read stories that have a multitude of minor or background characters that I usually forget about immediately after their scene is done. I didn’t feel as if any of the ones Rae introduces are like that. I remembered them all and was excited to hear about it.
For the setting, I initially thought that it was just a basic Asian inspired world. I couldn’t have been more wrong. While we learn a bit from travel, the part that I loved was the incorporation of legends and fables among the characters. Tales were shared, or at least mentioned during casual conversations. In my opinion, myths can really bring worlds alive, because it shows what morals and actions are held important in the eyes of the society.
I highly recommend the story for everyone. I felt all the characters were relatable on some level. A lot of love went into this novel, and it shows.
May 13, 2019
Dope
I've reached the stage where I don't bother with reading the blur of any of Magdon's books because I trust the quality of her work. Her books are well written, well imagined and amazingly represented. And this is not any different.
The MC's are WoC, one trans and one physically disabled. I can't express how rare it is to find some thing like this, a fantasy story with adventure and dragons with characters who are not able bodied, white, blonde/red/brown hair, blue/green eyes. Representation is so important guys and there isn't enough in popular culture. So when I find an author who embodies wokeness I stick with them like glue. We in this together now lol.
As such, I have all but three of Magdon's books and it won't be long before I have them all.
Thank you ms Magdon's for your effort and the respect shown in your work (including your fanfic ;) ) Please keep at it and know your work is much appreciated and will continue to be supported.
I've reached the stage where I don't bother with reading the blur of any of Magdon's books because I trust the quality of her work. Her books are well written, well imagined and amazingly represented. And this is not any different.
The MC's are WoC, one trans and one physically disabled. I can't express how rare it is to find some thing like this, a fantasy story with adventure and dragons with characters who are not able bodied, white, blonde/red/brown hair, blue/green eyes. Representation is so important guys and there isn't enough in popular culture. So when I find an author who embodies wokeness I stick with them like glue. We in this together now lol.
As such, I have all but three of Magdon's books and it won't be long before I have them all.
Thank you ms Magdon's for your effort and the respect shown in your work (including your fanfic ;) ) Please keep at it and know your work is much appreciated and will continue to be supported.
October 24, 2017
Tengoku is fabulous. Of Magdon’s other work, I have read only her Amendyr series so far, and while those books were also excellent reads, the author has certainly honed her technique since then. Tengoku offers an exciting and moving blend of fantasy adventure and (mostly) Sapphic romance. The setting is a well-drawn analog of feudal Japan, and the characters are layered and engaging. The story incorporates trans characters and characters with disabilities with respect and sensitivity. While some fantasy stories tend to ramble a bit with descriptions of the setting, Tengoku does not have that problem. The prose is concise, and aspects of the setting that aren’t essential to the story are left pleasantly ambiguous. Compared to some of the author’s other work, the plot/smut balance in this story is tilted more to the plot side. The sex scenes that are present are hot, coherent, and believable. They fit well into the plot and tend to be important character development moments.
Tengoku is the most engaging fantasy/romance story I’ve read since Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy. Don’t miss it!
Tengoku is the most engaging fantasy/romance story I’ve read since Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy. Don’t miss it!
February 12, 2020
I'm just gonna dive headfirst into the points I'd written down about this book while reading it, because I am still not good at writing reviews. I do, however, want to share my opinion on this book so here we go
Let's start with the positives:
First of all, this is the first fantasy book I've ever read with a transgender main character. And since, being Trans myself, I have been searching for such a book in like forever, this made me really happy. I think this book is great trans representation. Firstly, because they openly talked about being trans, and Kaede's transition and all the characters were really great about it. Sometimes I wished they would actually have used the term transgender, but the terms they used in the book (lady of autumn, gentleman of spring) were also clear enough and they fit into the whole of the story really well, so I don't really mind. Secondly, because Kaede's transness wasn't such a big deal. It wasn't all she was. She was not only trans, but also a samurai, good with spirits, a runaway etc. She was a character, not a stereotype.
The second thing I liked about the story, is that the main romance in this book is a gay romance between two women, which, again, yay representation! And talking about representation, there was also one other canon gay couple in the end (though only mentioned briefly) and there was an androgynous character who was referred to with they/them pronouns and it wasn't a big deal at all. I really appreciated that. (Also, spoiler, they were a literal dragon. How awesome is that)
I also liked how Imari's disability wasn't "fixed" in the end. A lot of stories seem to just "fix" their characters disability and I am really started to dislike that trope, so I'm glad they didn't do that.
The characters were also great. Most of them actually developed throughout the story and they all had a heart and were just really likable, even the harsh and serious ones. Well, except for the villain, be we're not supposed to like her xD
But yeah, the characters were great and I really liked the friendly yet badass talking wolves.
The final thing I really liked about this book is the part where the "real villain" is revealed. I thought this was really cool because I really didn't see it coming, and the way she took control of people was truly terrifying. Suddenly a dark layer was added to the story and I really loved that part. Especially when Imari ended up falling victim to the villain, seeing and doing horrible things, and then actually being traumatised afterwards felt really realistic. I wished they had touched upon that trauma a bit more after this sequence. It seemed to dissappear a little bit to fast when this was my favourite part of the story
So that was it for the positive parts, let's start getting critical then.
I have three main points of critique:
Sometimes the writing was a bit confusing. In some passage in the book, it was, for example, unclear who exactly was doing what, who was saying a certain line, etc. For example, at one point, Gin said something, then Gin replied to herself? This doesn't seem like it was the authors intention. and at some points it really seemed like the pov switched for a sentence or two and then it switched back again, which was really confusing.
Another thing that felt a little off about this book was the pacing. First of all, there were a lot of random time jumps in this book, where they just casually mentioned several weeks had passed even though it didn't really feel like they actually had. I didn't really think there was a smooth transition there.
The story kinda felt devided. There was a clear separation between the first half of the book and the second half, which made it feel a little like the first half didn't really pay off and the second half just kinda came out of nowhere.
Suddenly there was this new, really powerfull villain that was near impossible to beat, with a giant plan to destroy the whole empire, yet they go after this villain, with just a few people and no plan, sneak into the fortress and literally find said villain in the first room they enter and defeat her within a few pages. Yes, there was a big fight but it didn't really feel like a big fight. It just felt kinda rushed and a huge part of this big plot against the empire was just dealt with in two lines. There wasn't a satisfying payoff to the story for me.
And the final thing that probably bugged me the most, is the (NSFW-alert) random sex scenes? They just felt way off to me. I mean, their relationship itsself felt a little awkward to me too at first but when they got together I actually really started to enjoy reading about them being together.
So, here I was, reading this nice fantasy book with two gay girls in love, thinking "Oh okay, things are getting heated, they're probably gonna cut to the next scene now after this clear implication that they're going to have sex, that's cool, I can deal with that"
That was not what happened. Instead, I got a 5 page long sex scene that read like it was straight out of a smut fanfiction. The terms used and the length the scene was really off putting for me to the point where I had to skip the scene. It just took me out of the story and I didn't feel like it added anything to the story. It didn't help that there were three of those either. At one point one of the main characters was dealing with trauma and I was getting really into the story and then suddenly there was this sex scene and that whole feeling of angst and stress was gone after that.
HOWEVER, I don't think this was a bad book at all. It was fun to read, and though sometimes the execution was a bit weird, the idea, the setting and the characters were great, and this book offers great lgbtq+ representation.
Favourite Characters: Rin, Hayate
Let's start with the positives:
First of all, this is the first fantasy book I've ever read with a transgender main character. And since, being Trans myself, I have been searching for such a book in like forever, this made me really happy. I think this book is great trans representation. Firstly, because they openly talked about being trans, and Kaede's transition and all the characters were really great about it. Sometimes I wished they would actually have used the term transgender, but the terms they used in the book (lady of autumn, gentleman of spring) were also clear enough and they fit into the whole of the story really well, so I don't really mind. Secondly, because Kaede's transness wasn't such a big deal. It wasn't all she was. She was not only trans, but also a samurai, good with spirits, a runaway etc. She was a character, not a stereotype.
The second thing I liked about the story, is that the main romance in this book is a gay romance between two women, which, again, yay representation! And talking about representation, there was also one other canon gay couple in the end (though only mentioned briefly) and there was an androgynous character who was referred to with they/them pronouns and it wasn't a big deal at all. I really appreciated that. (Also, spoiler, they were a literal dragon. How awesome is that)
I also liked how Imari's disability wasn't "fixed" in the end. A lot of stories seem to just "fix" their characters disability and I am really started to dislike that trope, so I'm glad they didn't do that.
The characters were also great. Most of them actually developed throughout the story and they all had a heart and were just really likable, even the harsh and serious ones. Well, except for the villain, be we're not supposed to like her xD
But yeah, the characters were great and I really liked the friendly yet badass talking wolves.
The final thing I really liked about this book is the part where the "real villain" is revealed. I thought this was really cool because I really didn't see it coming, and the way she took control of people was truly terrifying. Suddenly a dark layer was added to the story and I really loved that part. Especially when Imari ended up falling victim to the villain, seeing and doing horrible things, and then actually being traumatised afterwards felt really realistic. I wished they had touched upon that trauma a bit more after this sequence. It seemed to dissappear a little bit to fast when this was my favourite part of the story
So that was it for the positive parts, let's start getting critical then.
I have three main points of critique:
Sometimes the writing was a bit confusing. In some passage in the book, it was, for example, unclear who exactly was doing what, who was saying a certain line, etc. For example, at one point, Gin said something, then Gin replied to herself? This doesn't seem like it was the authors intention. and at some points it really seemed like the pov switched for a sentence or two and then it switched back again, which was really confusing.
Another thing that felt a little off about this book was the pacing. First of all, there were a lot of random time jumps in this book, where they just casually mentioned several weeks had passed even though it didn't really feel like they actually had. I didn't really think there was a smooth transition there.
The story kinda felt devided. There was a clear separation between the first half of the book and the second half, which made it feel a little like the first half didn't really pay off and the second half just kinda came out of nowhere.
Suddenly there was this new, really powerfull villain that was near impossible to beat, with a giant plan to destroy the whole empire, yet they go after this villain, with just a few people and no plan, sneak into the fortress and literally find said villain in the first room they enter and defeat her within a few pages. Yes, there was a big fight but it didn't really feel like a big fight. It just felt kinda rushed and a huge part of this big plot against the empire was just dealt with in two lines. There wasn't a satisfying payoff to the story for me.
And the final thing that probably bugged me the most, is the (NSFW-alert) random sex scenes? They just felt way off to me. I mean, their relationship itsself felt a little awkward to me too at first but when they got together I actually really started to enjoy reading about them being together.
So, here I was, reading this nice fantasy book with two gay girls in love, thinking "Oh okay, things are getting heated, they're probably gonna cut to the next scene now after this clear implication that they're going to have sex, that's cool, I can deal with that"
That was not what happened. Instead, I got a 5 page long sex scene that read like it was straight out of a smut fanfiction. The terms used and the length the scene was really off putting for me to the point where I had to skip the scene. It just took me out of the story and I didn't feel like it added anything to the story. It didn't help that there were three of those either. At one point one of the main characters was dealing with trauma and I was getting really into the story and then suddenly there was this sex scene and that whole feeling of angst and stress was gone after that.
HOWEVER, I don't think this was a bad book at all. It was fun to read, and though sometimes the execution was a bit weird, the idea, the setting and the characters were great, and this book offers great lgbtq+ representation.
Favourite Characters: Rin, Hayate
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2018
A lesfic with a trans main character? Sign me up. I was honestly wary going into this a bit. Rae has proven that she's more than adequite at writing believable diversity, so it's always fun to read, but it's a bit different when it's a piece of diversity, a bit of representation for someone like me. I worried that Kaede would be reduced to a fetish, a worry that was ill placed. What I got in Kaede was an amazingly complex character who could be fierce, timid, loving, sexy, and many other things. A character that could just be herself whose worries and doubts deeply mirror my own. It's nice to see glimpses of myself in such a wonderfully strong woman.
March 20, 2019
Magdon's best known for writing raunchy lesbian romance, but in this work she prioritises plot over hanky-panky. This is not to say that her leads (which include a transwoman, so props for being inclusive!) don't get any sexy-times, but it's much less of a focus than in some of her other works.
The plot in question is a bit shaky, to be honest, even though I quite liked the book. It relies a bit too heavily on magically-knowledgeable bad guys (though admittedly, bad guys with actual magic), and the villainous motivations are pretty thin. Still, it's always nice to see a fantasy novel drawing on non-European society for its inspiration, and I enjoyed my time reading this.
The plot in question is a bit shaky, to be honest, even though I quite liked the book. It relies a bit too heavily on magically-knowledgeable bad guys (though admittedly, bad guys with actual magic), and the villainous motivations are pretty thin. Still, it's always nice to see a fantasy novel drawing on non-European society for its inspiration, and I enjoyed my time reading this.
October 4, 2022
Here it is, the historical fiction that is also sapphic romance and honestly reminds me of old shonen(or seinen) manga, not only because edo japan but its story structure and epic journey as well. Of most prominent interest is that this book makes a trans lead work pretty well in this setting, which is mostly fun. This is also the book that made me decide I don't ever want to have to think about contraceptives in my romances, so there's that. It was an enjoyable romp, although its semi-frequent recommendation in romance communities is slightly confusing, seeing as it's sort of 50-50 split between "Imari and Kaede make out a lot" and "adventure to the legendary red mountain".
March 31, 2025
the whole book was great but the worldbuilding in this was totally next level. the beauty in the descriptions of the landscapes alone had me desperate to visit this fictional place more than any i've read about before.
this fantasy story has everything a good adventure needs; peril, swordfighting, fantastical creatures, magic, comedy, and love (platonic and otherwise).
also, the trans & sapphic love story had me melting in more ways than one with the softness, honesty and heat between the two MCs. there's nothing i love more than a woman who could kill me, and this book has two! and they kiss!! and there's DRAGONS!!!
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
this fantasy story has everything a good adventure needs; peril, swordfighting, fantastical creatures, magic, comedy, and love (platonic and otherwise).
also, the trans & sapphic love story had me melting in more ways than one with the softness, honesty and heat between the two MCs. there's nothing i love more than a woman who could kill me, and this book has two! and they kiss!! and there's DRAGONS!!!
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
January 11, 2018
One of the best period-fantasy-drama works I’ve read in the past year, Tengoku is a rush from start to finish, and contains some of the most beautiful love scenes I’ve read that deal with gender identity and dysphoria. You will fall in love with Imari, and I think that’s only fair.
Highly recommend for any fans of yokai legends combined with LGBT themes, and anyone in general.
Highly recommend for any fans of yokai legends combined with LGBT themes, and anyone in general.
May 8, 2019
Well worth the wait.
I'd been waiting a while to read this one, and I found it very much I worth it. It's a great read that I couldn't put down at all. I didn't mean to finish it so quickly, but I guess it happens in the next reads.
I'd been waiting a while to read this one, and I found it very much I worth it. It's a great read that I couldn't put down at all. I didn't mean to finish it so quickly, but I guess it happens in the next reads.
May 26, 2017
Good story
This was a great story and I loved that the main character was non binary. I really liked all the characters.
This was a great story and I loved that the main character was non binary. I really liked all the characters.
August 7, 2017
It comes to no surprise, there is a lot of action in this book, awesome, totally enthralling, heart pounding action scenes.
May 3, 2020
What a beautiful and interesting story. I am looking forward to more of Rae D. Magdon's books.
September 4, 2020
A stellar f/f that deals with transgender issues well enough to be an introduction to those unaware of the complexities.
April 18, 2023
Excellent story. Nice level of spice. Loved seeing the transbian rep. What's not to love about sword-wielding sapphics?
did-not-finish
August 24, 2025Dnf at 60%. Paper thin plot. Character motivation we’re flimsy and so many oh here is a magic creature to drive the next plot point.
August 5, 2017
This book was a great read. The characters were well developed and the plot was interesting with many twists. It is one of the best books I have ever read. I loved how the author combined fantasy, adventure and romance into this book. It does a great job of showing that there is good and bad in all people and others. It also does a great job of showing love is love and that are differences are what make us unique and interesting. For those who want to be taken to another land with yokai and samurai, where one strives for honor and love in all its forms, you will want to read this captivating fantasy, adventure, romance.
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